Topic summary

KAOS GL

KAOS GL

KAOS GL, short for Kaos Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Association (Turkish: Kaos Gey ve Lezbiyen Kültürel Araştırmalar ve Dayanışma Derneği), founded in 1994, is one of the oldest and largest organisations for LGBTQ rights in Turkey. In 2005, the Ankara-based organisation became the first Turkish LGBT organisation to be legally registered as an association, after their application was initially appealed by the deputy governor of Ankara. The organisation has been publishing the journal KAOS GL (now a quarterly publication) since its founding. The group operates the KAOS Cultural Center, which hosts cultural activities and meetings, and shows of films. The centre also houses a library of LGBTQ history in Turkey.

The organization has also taken a stance on broader issues of human rights in Turkey. In 2017, a spokesperson for the organization stated: "AKP started a war against all opponents, not only Armenians. They stop opposition groups coming together and taking collective action. Social justice and peace is under our responsibility". As part of a crackdown on LGBTQ expression, 21 people, including the organization's board of directors were detained by police in 2026 for an investigation into Kaos GL.